North Devon is named 12th World Surfing Reserve
“North Devon is a well-established hub of surf culture, home
to the Museum of British Surfing, the sport’s national governing body Surfing
England, and to brands such as Dry Robe and Tiki”.
At Tiki we are stoked to be a named as part of the local
surf culture, calling this place home for the last 50 years. With North Devon being on the World Surfing Reserve list it will ensures protection of the places we hold so close to our hearts. Educating and inspiring future generations to protect what makes this area so special.
North Devon is now the 12th location on the World Surfing Reserve (WSR), becoming the first place in the UK, and the second in Europe to be selected. Joining locations such as Malibu, Santa Cruz, The Gold Coast and Noosa in Australia which now have additional protections in place.
The WSR recognised that the surf sport needs to be protected
and celebrated in the same way as the national parks, like those in Exmoor.
Launched in 2009 by Save The Waves Coalition, the WSR
programme is dedicated to “protecting surf ecosystems around the globe”. Giving a voice to surfers, to make decisions that will protect the waves and the coastline in North Devon.
The reserve covers 19 miles of world class surf zones and coastline. Stretching from Saunton, around the point to Croyde, then to Putsborough, Woolacombe and Lynmouth. Being the first and only cold water WSR, with most of the best waves being in the winter.
The core focus - “Looking after the quality of the waves themselves and
preserving the ecosystems that produce them. Surf spots need to be celebrated, recognised, and protected”. – Adam Hall
The aim - “The aim is to protect waves and the surfing experience from
threats such as harmful coastal development, water quality and pollution,
limited coastal access, climate change, and a host of the other factors that
impact the delicate ecosystems on which waves of quality depend.”
Adam Hall, co-founder of the Surfing Reserve in North Devon explained “This wasn’t an overnight thing” “It’s been in the making for years. Our focus isn’t on tourism, saying ‘hey look the waves are great here’, its more about education and how visitors can help keep the beaches clean and everyone do their part to protect ecosystems across the costline.”
Kevin Cook “Cookie” was the first to propose applying the Surfing Reserve concept to North Devon. “It is so important to celebrate the amazing, special and unique surfing environment of North Devon in a way that will protect it and ensure future generations are able to experience the magic and beauty of being at one with the ocean.”
Ben Hewitt, local surfer, and former chair of the Surfers Against Sewage campaign, has been helping the Reserve plan and establish a
framework to safeguard the shoreline and protect it from short-sighted
interventions. Explaining that “There are too many cases around the world when a decision to dredge a sandbar or build a coastal development has destroyed a perfect wave forever.” “We have worked with coastal scientists to understand why the different types of waves break the way they do and what factors need to be taken into account when protecting this unique coastline.”
